If you asked us where our favorite backyard in Lake Tahoe is, we’d probably point you toward Burton Creek State Park.
Not because it’s the biggest. Not because it’s the most famous.
But because it’s become such a big part of our lives.
For us, it’s more than a state park. It’s where we walk the dogs after work, clear our heads after a busy day, spend weekends on the trails, and enjoy the simple moments that remind us why we chose to live in Lake Tahoe.
Living here has never been just about the house.
It’s about what’s waiting just outside your front door.
A Backyard for Every Season
One of the things we love most about Burton Creek is that it changes with the seasons, yet somehow never loses its appeal.
Winter
When the snow arrives, Burton Creek transforms into one of the North Shore’s favorite places for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Tahoe Cross Country (Tahoe XC) maintains an incredible network of groomed trails that welcomes everyone from first-time skiers to experienced Nordic enthusiasts. It’s one of those places that brings both locals and visitors together, and you quickly realize how many familiar faces you’ll see throughout the winter.
Lauren and I volunteer as Trail Ambassadors and help with local school programs during the week. Volunteering has given us a different appreciation for the trails. Instead of simply enjoying the trails ourselves, we’ve had the opportunity to help introduce newcomers to the area as well. It’s also allowed us to get to know many of the staff and volunteers who make Tahoe XC such a welcoming part of our community.
Spring & Summer
As the snow melts, the same trail system takes on a completely different personality.
We’ll hike to Watson Lake, take the dogs out for an evening walk, or simply head into the forest for an hour after work. The trail network feels endless. We’ve hiked from our backyard all the way to Truckee, connecting through miles of trails with endless opportunities.
Mountain biking is just as much a part of Burton Creek as hiking. Whether you’re looking for an easy cruise, a fast lap on flowing singletrack, or a longer ride that connects into Tahoe’s larger trail network, there’s always another route to explore. One of our favorite outings, though, is walking through the woods into Tahoe City for lunch, then catching the free TART Connect home.
Fall
Then comes fall.
Cool mornings, changing leaves, quieter trails, and a reminder that some of the best days to be outside in Tahoe happen after summer has ended.
More Than Just Trails
There are incredible places to hike, ski, and bike all around Lake Tahoe.
Burton Creek just happens to be the place that’s become part of our everyday life.
It’s where we’ve trained for bigger hikes, explored with the dogs, introduced friends to Tahoe, and spent countless mornings and evenings over the years. It’s also where we’ve come to appreciate the local community that helps care for these trails and welcomes people to enjoy them.
Finding the Right Backyard
As Realtors, we spend a lot of time talking about neighborhoods, floor plans, views, and property values.
Those things matter.
But we’re also thinking about what life looks like after you move in.
Will you walk the dogs every evening? Ride your bike after work? Ski before the day begins? Find a trail you’ll come back to every season?
For us, that backyard happens to be Burton Creek State Park.
Yours might look a little different.
Whether it’s a trail system, a beach, a ski resort, or a quiet neighborhood where you can walk out your front door and immediately feel at home, that’s what we’re here to help you find.
Because buying a home in Tahoe has never been just about the house.
It’s about finding the backyard you’ll enjoy for years to come.